UK government consults on due diligence rules for deforestation-linked supply chains

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UK deforestation due diligence rules

Highlights

UK government launches consultation on mandatory due diligence for deforestation-linked commodities, covering goods sold in Great Britain under the Environment Act 2021.
UK consumption of at-risk goods caused about 29,000 hectares of deforestation and 9.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions globally in 2023.
Proposed policy aims to align Great Britain’s regime with Northern Ireland’s phased EU regulations starting 30 December 2026 to support the UK internal market and exports.

Consultation targets commodity sourcing rules

As reported by GOV.UK, the government is consulting on measures that would require businesses dealing in deforestation-linked commodities to assess their supply chains and ensure their operations are not driving illegal deforestation overseas. The proposed regime covers goods sold in Great Britain and includes plans for mandatory due diligence under existing powers, including the Environment Act 2021, alongside measures to strengthen the UK Timber Regulation.

The government says the framework is intended to give consumers greater certainty over the environmental footprint of goods ranging from chocolate and cooking oils to toiletries and cosmetics. It also says the approach responds to calls from campaigners and major retailers for a stronger regulatory structure after many businesses already took voluntary steps to reduce deforestation risk.

Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle says the government is determined to remove illegal deforestation from UK supply chains and argues that action on forests is essential to tackling climate change, protecting wildlife and supporting confidence among British consumers.

Climate goals and cross-border market alignment

The policy is part of the UK’s effort to meet the pledge made with 144 other countries at COP26 in Glasgow to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030. The government says UK consumption of goods associated with deforestation was linked to about 29,000 hectares of deforestation worldwide in 2023, contributing 9.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions.

Ministers are also seeking to align the regime in Great Britain with arrangements in Northern Ireland to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens, protect the UK internal market and support export-led growth. In Northern Ireland, the EU Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products is due to begin applying in phases from 30 December 2026, and businesses are being encouraged to prepare their supply chains before compliance is required.

The consultation launched today seeks views from businesses, environmental organisations and international stakeholders. Over time, the government says it aims to move toward a broader deforestation-free standard that builds on international efforts to remove forest loss from global supply chains.

We have also looked at how the WTO warned Middle East conflict and geopolitics could drive lasting supply chain shifts.

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